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The Dataset on Migration Referendums and Initiatives compiles all 43 referendums and popular initiatives on migration-related issues that took place in Switzerland at the federal level from 1848 to 2017.
Overall, the results point to a significant restrictive effect of direct democratic instruments on migrants’ rights. On the one hand, mandatory referendums have often blocked expansive legislation, whereas optional referendums largely failed to challenge restrictive bills. On the other hand, popular initiatives, though almost always failing in the polls, helped to empower radical right and anti-immigrant groups by providing them with the opportunity to set the political agenda.
Click here for a more in-depth analysis of the results.
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Note on methodology: The dataset distinguishes between three types of votes (mandatory referendum, optional referendum, popular initiative), four themes (immigration and mobility, citizenship and nationality, asylum and alien status, culture and religion) and three possible outcomes (failed, passed, interrupted – the latter referring to cases where the initiative or optional referendum was either withdrawn by its promoters, blocked by the federal council, or failed to collect enough signatures in due time). The dataset further distinguishes between the legislation’s orientation (expansive or restrictive), capturing whether it proposes to upgrade or downgrade the rights currently enjoyed by the targeted group.
Terms of use: The dataset is made available free of charge for non-commercial use by the general public and is also available in Excel format. We ask that users of the database acknowledge it as the source when using the data in their publications. Please cite as follows: Arrighi, Jean-Thomas. Dataset on Migration Referendums and Initiatives in Switzerland. Neuchâtel: nccr – on the move, 2017.
Last update: 28 February 2018